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In the state of Texas from 603,892 to 795,955 registered voters are without the newly acceptable forms of photo identification. SB 14 oppresses minority and low socioeconomic status voters (Berman, 2013). An election identification certificate, commonly known as a voter identification (ID) card, is available to voters who lack a photo identification card. Voter ID cards will be issued by the DPS and are seemingly free of charge (Fraser et al., 2011). Out of the 254 counties in Texas, DPS offices are located in only 81 counties (Berman, 2013). The disproportionate amount of DPS offices in relation to Texas counties limits minority populations’ accessibility to voter ID cards. Primarily Hispanic counties are less likely to house DPS offices and would require some voters to travel over 200 miles to the nearest DPS office. Although the voter ID cards will be available to voters free of charge, the documents to obtain the voter ID cards, like birth certificates, are not. Under SB 14, low-income and minority voters face locality and monetary burdens when attempting to vote (Berman, 2013).

Berman, Ari. (2013, August 22). DOJ to texas: voter suppression will not stand. Retrieved from http://billmoyers.com/2013/08/22/doj-to-texas-voter-suppression-will-not-stand/ Fraser, T., Birdwell, B., Carona, J., Deuell, B., Duncan, R., Eltife, K., …Williams, T. (2011). Senate Bill 14. Retrieved from http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/html/SB00014F.htm

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